Crowdsourcing information in a communication network using small cells

Abstract

Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for using a small cell as a reliable crowd-sourcing agent are presented. In some embodiments, a small cell installed at a known location may observe one or more wireless signals at the known location, wherein the small cell comprises a built-in network listen receiver for observing cellular downlink signals. Subsequently, the small cell may provide, to at least one crowdsourcing server, information that identifies the location and describes one or more detected properties of the one or more observed wireless signals. In at least one arrangement, the information provided to at least one crowdsourcing server is a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) configuration based on an observed LTE downlink signals. In at least one arrangement, the information provided to at least one crowdsourcing server is configured to be used by the at least one crowdsourcing server in providing position assistance information.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Aspects of the disclosure relate to computing technologies, including computer software and computer hardware. In particular, various aspects of the disclosure relate to using small cells (e.g., micro, pico or femto cells) as reliable crowdsourcing agents.[0002]A number of software applications, websites, and other functionalities that can be provided on a mobile device are beginning to use position information to further enhance a user's experience when using such a device. For example, a device may access a particular website, such as a restaurant review website, and the website may use information about the device's current location in order to provide location-specific content, such as reviews of nearby restaurants, to the device. Other applications and websites may, for instance, use information about a device's current location to display relevant maps to a user, provide the user with information about local businesses, or inform the user of a local weather for...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]In one or more arrangements, the information that characterizes the fixed location and describes the one or more detected properties of the one or more observed wireless signals may include one or more received signal strength indication (RSSI) measurements corresponding to the one or more observed wireless signals, one or more time of arrival (TOA) measurements corresponding to the one or more observed wireless signals, one or more time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements corresponding to two or more observ

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, mobile device crowdsourcing may obtain necessary information of the radio network (e.g., base station/access point locations, timing information) which would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain.

Crowdsourcing via mobile devices may encounter several disadvantages associated with using a mobile device as a crowdsourcing agent including limited battery life, position uncertainty, and comparative availability.

The crowdsourcing activity in the mobile device may impact user experience (e.g., significantly draining the battery, make the mobile device less responsive to user interactions).

Additionally, it can require bandwidth of the communications networ

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